Pork, it's what at stake

September 27, 2012 10:49 AM

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A twenty one day-old pig stands in a weaning-to-market barn at Lehmann Brothers Farms LLC in Strawn, Illinois, U.S., on Thursday, March 22, 2012. Pork stockpiles in the U.S. rose 8.8 percent at the end of February to a record from a year earlier on increased production, the government said. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg (Bloomberg) less

A twenty one day-old pig stands in a weaning-to-market barn at Lehmann Brothers Farms LLC in Strawn, Illinois, U.S., on Thursday, March 22, 2012. Pork stockpiles in the U.S. rose 8.8 percent at the end of ... more

A twenty one day-old pig stands in a weaning-to-market barn at... Photo-3508182.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

The smoked pork chop cut table side for sharing at Perry's Steakhouse at the Shops at La Cantera, Friday, January 20, 2012. (JENNIFER WHITNEY) (special to the Express-News)

The smoked pork chop cut table side for sharing at Perry's Steakhouse at the Shops at La Cantera, Friday, January 20, 2012. (JENNIFER WHITNEY) (special to the Express-News)

The smoked pork chop cut table side for sharing at Perry's... Photo-3508188.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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The two-meat plate (this one with brisket and pulled pork, w/ sides of corn and cole slaw) from The Smoke Shack food truck is seen Wednesday afternoon Jan. 25, 2012 near the intersection of Loop 410 and Nacogdoches. (William Luther/wluther@express-news.net) (San Antonio Express-News) less

The two-meat plate (this one with brisket and pulled pork, w/ sides of corn and cole slaw) from The Smoke Shack food truck is seen Wednesday afternoon Jan. 25, 2012 near the intersection of Loop 410 and ... more

Kimmy Moore, 13, cheers on the pigs as they race for a cookie Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at the Hedrick's Pig Racing exhibit at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kan. (AP Photo/The Hutchinson News, Travis Morisse) (Associated Press) less

Kimmy Moore, 13, cheers on the pigs as they race for a cookie Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at the Hedrick's Pig Racing exhibit at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kan. (AP Photo/The Hutchinson News, Travis ... more

Kimmy Moore, 13, cheers on the pigs as they race for a cookie... Photo-3508190.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Big Dog (sausage, brisket and pulled pork on a hoagie roll) from The Smoke Shack food truck is seen Wednesday afternoon Jan. 25, 2012 near the intersection of Loop 410 and Nacogdoches.(William Luther/wluther@express-news.net) (San Antonio Express-News) less

The Big Dog (sausage, brisket and pulled pork on a hoagie roll) from The Smoke Shack food truck is seen Wednesday afternoon Jan. 25, 2012 near the intersection of Loop 410 and Nacogdoches.(William ... more

Braised pork shank with orange cilantro berbecue sauce prepared by executive chef Don Carr in one of the test kitchens at the new 630,000 square foot Sysco distribution center serving Central Texas in Schertz, Texas, Thursday, February 23, 2012. ( Photo by J. Michael Short / SPECIAL ) (Special to the Express-News) less

Braised pork shank with orange cilantro berbecue sauce prepared by executive chef Don Carr in one of the test kitchens at the new 630,000 square foot Sysco distribution center serving Central Texas in Schertz, ... more

Sows and boars are seen in an open feedlot on the Paul Menke farm, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Clear Lake, Iowa. While the pork industry is under fire for the common practice of keeping pregnant sows confined for most of their lives in tight stalls called gestation crates Menke's sows live outdoors. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (AP) less

Sows and boars are seen in an open feedlot on the Paul Menke farm, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Clear Lake, Iowa. While the pork industry is under fire for the common practice of keeping pregnant sows confined for ... more

Sows and boars are seen in an open feedlot on the Paul Menke farm,... Photo-3508199.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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TASTE: Tortas ahogadas, a dish from the Mexican state of Jalisco, is sandwich of chopped pork in a hero roll that's "drowning" in a tomato sauce. Photographed Wednesday March 14, 2012. Helen L. Montoya/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News) less

TASTE: Tortas ahogadas, a dish from the Mexican state of Jalisco, is sandwich of chopped pork in a hero roll that's "drowning" in a tomato sauce. Photographed Wednesday March 14, 2012. Helen L. ... more

TASTE: Tortas ahogadas, a dish from the Mexican state of Jalisco,... Photo-3508200.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

Pigs from the team "Rapid pigs from the Jorat" round the track during their race on September 16, 2012 at the Swiss fair "Comptoir Suisse" in Lausanne. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINIFABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages (AFP/Getty Images) less

Pigs from the team "Rapid pigs from the Jorat" round the track during their race on September 16, 2012 at the Swiss fair "Comptoir Suisse" in Lausanne. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINIFABRICE ... more

Pigs from the team &quot;Rapid pigs from the Jorat&quot;... Photo-3508208.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

Chinese style braised pork served at the Rolling Pig food truck during Culinaria, Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Pearl Brewery in San Antonio. (Darren Abate/Special to the Express-News) (Darren Abate/Special to the Expr) less

Chinese style braised pork served at the Rolling Pig food truck during Culinaria, Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Pearl Brewery in San Antonio. (Darren Abate/Special to the Express-News) (Darren Abate/Special to the ... more

Pork chop taco combo plate with rice and beans is a popular dish at... Photo-3508215.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Escobedos' Large Blacks graze during the Slow Food South Texas Farm dinner with Chef Steve McHugh of Luke at South Texas Heritage Pork in Poth, TX, Sunday, April 1, 2012. (JENNIFER WHITNEY) (COURTESY SLOW FOOD SOUTH TEXAS) less

The Escobedos' Large Blacks graze during the Slow Food South Texas Farm dinner with Chef Steve McHugh of Luke at South Texas Heritage Pork in Poth, TX, Sunday, April 1, 2012. (JENNIFER WHITNEY) (COURTESY SLOW ... more

The Escobedos' Large Blacks graze during the Slow Food South... Photo-3508216.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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Minced pork and watermelon lettuce wraps (COURTESY THE NATIONAL WATERMELON)

Minced pork and watermelon lettuce wraps (COURTESY THE NATIONAL WATERMELON)

San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Jeff Waters puts away a half-rack of pork ribs in a rib-eating contest between the SAPD and the San Antonio Fire Department Saturday at Texas Road House, 16195 San Pedro Ave. Event proceeds benefited the 100 Club, helping children and families of fallen officers. (Marvin Pfeiffer / North Central) less

San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Jeff Waters puts away a half-rack of pork ribs in a rib-eating contest between the SAPD and the San Antonio Fire Department Saturday at Texas Road House, 16195 San Pedro Ave. ... more

A pork vendor eats breakfast as she waits for customers at a market in Fuyang in central China's Anhui province Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. A jump in food prices pushed China's inflation rate to rise 2 percent in August compared with a year earlier, complicating efforts by the government to revive growth with further stimulus measures. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT (Associated Press) less

A pork vendor eats breakfast as she waits for customers at a market in Fuyang in central China's Anhui province Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. A jump in food prices pushed China's inflation rate to rise 2 percent in ... more

A pork vendor eats breakfast as she waits for customers at a market... Photo-3508222.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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The baby pigs of Robinson's Racing Pigs dive into the water during their first race of the evening of the 2012 Isle of Wight County Fair Thursday, September 13, 2012 in Windsor, Va.. The fair opened Thursday evening and will run Sunday, September 16,2012. The fair is being held in Windsor at the Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds on Courthouse Way.(AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Bill Tiernan) MAGS OUT (Associated Press) less

The baby pigs of Robinson's Racing Pigs dive into the water during their first race of the evening of the 2012 Isle of Wight County Fair Thursday, September 13, 2012 in Windsor, Va.. The fair opened Thursday ... more

The baby pigs of Robinson's Racing Pigs dive into the water... Photo-3508223.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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Pitmaster Clyde Biggins hoists a rack of pork ribs onto his largest smoker in front of his Dallas house on July 26, 2012 to smoke overnight. Biggins is trying to make a comeback on the North Texas barbecue scene. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Jeff Lautenberger) (Associated Press) less

Pitmaster Clyde Biggins hoists a rack of pork ribs onto his largest smoker in front of his Dallas house on July 26, 2012 to smoke overnight. Biggins is trying to make a comeback on the North Texas barbecue ... more

In this image taken on Nov. 28, 2011, almond butter gives a thick, rich texture and flavor to this mole-style pulled pork sandwich shown served on a plate in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) (Associated Press) less

In this image taken on Nov. 28, 2011, almond butter gives a thick, rich texture and flavor to this mole-style pulled pork sandwich shown served on a plate in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) (Associated ... more

In this image taken on Nov. 28, 2011, almond butter gives a thick,... Photo-3508225.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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In this image taken on August 27, 2012, a recipe for Mirin Pork Chops with Apple Chutney is shown in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) (Associated Press)

In this image taken on August 27, 2012, a recipe for Mirin Pork Chops with Apple Chutney is shown in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead) (Associated Press)

In this image taken on August 27, 2012, a recipe for Mirin Pork... Photo-3508226.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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Pork loin with wine salt rub grilled in New York, July 14, 2012. Wine salt gives meat the fruity tang of wine while allowing the meat to crust when seared. (Andrew Scrivani/The New York Times) (New York Times)

Pork loin with wine salt rub grilled in New York, July 14, 2012. Wine salt gives meat the fruity tang of wine while allowing the meat to crust when seared. (Andrew Scrivani/The New York Times) (New York Times)

A dish of grilled pork loin with wine salt rub in New York, July, 15, 2012. Wine salt gives meat the fruity tang of wine while allowing the meat to crust when seared. (Andrew Scrivani/The New York Times) (New York Times) less

A dish of grilled pork loin with wine salt rub in New York, July, 15, 2012. Wine salt gives meat the fruity tang of wine while allowing the meat to crust when seared. (Andrew Scrivani/The New York Times) (New ... more

A dish of grilled pork loin with wine salt rub in New York, July,... Photo-3508228.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

Cooks carry a grill with the Peruvian pork dish called 'Chancho al palo' or pork on a stick at the inauguration of the 5th edition of Peru's Mistura International Gastronomic Fair, in Lima, Peru, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. According to the organizers, 600,000 people are expected to attend the 10-day festival featuring typical Peruvian food. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) (Associated Press) less

Cooks carry a grill with the Peruvian pork dish called 'Chancho al palo' or pork on a stick at the inauguration of the 5th edition of Peru's Mistura International Gastronomic Fair, in Lima, Peru, Thursday, ... more

A Filipino woman chooses among an assortment of barbecue delicacies including pig's ears, pork intestines, belly and meat at a makeshift stall along a sidewalk in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday Sept. 4, 2012. Such exotic food are popular snacks among working class Filipinos because they are cheap. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (Associated Press) less

A Filipino woman chooses among an assortment of barbecue delicacies including pig's ears, pork intestines, belly and meat at a makeshift stall along a sidewalk in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday Sept. 4, 2012. ... more

A Filipino woman chooses among an assortment of barbecue delicacies... Photo-3508231.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

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Pigs from the team "Rapid pigs from the Jorat" round the track during their race on September 16, 2012 at the Swiss fair "Comptoir Suisse" in Lausanne. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINIFABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages (AFP/Getty Images) less

Pigs from the team "Rapid pigs from the Jorat" round the track during their race on September 16, 2012 at the Swiss fair "Comptoir Suisse" in Lausanne. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINIFABRICE ... more

Pigs from the team &quot;Rapid pigs from the Jorat&quot;... Photo-3508232.49665 - San Antonio Express-News

Pork chop taco on the left and sirloin taco on the right, from Taco Paraiso, seved with chile de arbol salsa, pico de gallo, limon and guacamole, on corn tortillas, shown Monday, August 6, 2012. (FOR THE EXPRESS-NEWS) less

Pork chop taco on the left and sirloin taco on the right, from Taco Paraiso, seved with chile de arbol salsa, pico de gallo, limon and guacamole, on corn tortillas, shown Monday, August 6, 2012. (FOR THE ... more

Pork chop taco on the left and sirloin taco on the right, from Taco... Photo-3508235.49665 - San Antonio Express-News